Brandon Boger Memorial 5K: Sixth annual event celebrates life of former CBE lax, football player

Registration is open for the 6th annual Brandon W. Boger Memorial 5K Run/Walk at Doylestown Central Park at 9 a.m. on Nov. 12.

More than 500 runners and walkers are expected to participate in an event that has raised more than $300,000 in its first five years for many charitable organizations. Race creator and director Courtney Boger, Brandon’s sister, gave this interview with Phillylacrosse.com.

Brandon’s Background:

On April 21, 2004, Brandon Boger was catastrophically injured during his senior year in an automobile accident. The accident occurred during the spring of his senior year while on his way to a Central Bucks High School East Men’s Lacrosse game. Brandon was accepted to and had planned to attend Johns Hopkins University as a Pre-med major and play football for the Blue Jays. Brandon suffered extensive brain and internal injuries. Tragically, after a 10 month battle to recover, Brandon died from his injuries in February of 2005.

Why was the race created?

Courtney Boger: “My brother and I were very close and when he passed away I wanted to create a way to remember him by. When presented with the task of creating a high school graduation project, I wanted to raise money for my brother’s memorial scholarship fund.

How much money has been raised in five years and whict charities have benefited?

Courtney Boger: “The first year, over 1,100 people came to the Inaugural Brandon W. Boger Memorial Scholarship 5K Run/Walk. It raised well over $100,000.

“Since the first year, there have been four more very successful 5Ks. The second year we raised about $75,000 with over 800 people in attendance. The third year was a little different because the proceeds of the race did not go towards the scholarship fund.

“The previous two years had raised enough money to turn the scholarship fund into a self sustaining perpetual fund. The third year the proceeds of the race went to St. Mary’s Medical Center to purchase brain scanning technology to help brain trauma patients similar to Brandon. This race had over 600 people in attendance with about $60,000 raised.

“The next year the proceeds went to Doylestown Hospital to aid in their emergency room expansion project. We raised over $40,000 and had over 600 people in attendance.

Last year we raised over $26,000 and had over 600 in attendance. The proceeds went to several charities, including the first responder units in the area, the fire house and ambulance team that all worked to save Brandon.

“The past two years we have far surpassed our goal. We assumed that with the economy and the amount of time that had passed, people would not be able to give as much or remember, be we were proven wrong.”

How do you feel about the way the community has embraced the event?

Courtney Boger: “The community has been amazing and I do not know how I will ever thank them. In total over $300,000 has been raised for the scholarship and various other charities and over 3500 people have participated in the 5 years.

“The community has been such a great support system and it is always so overwhelming for my family to see the love and support they have for Brandon and my family. It’s great to have an event to carry on Brandon’s legacy and for the whole community to stand behind it.”